Saudi Arabia Urges UNESCO to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

Paris, The Gulf Observer: Saudi Arabia has called upon UNESCO to take decisive action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reaffirming its commitment to finding a solution to the dire situation affecting civilians in the region. Fahd bin Mayouf Al-Ruwaili, the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to France and the Principality of Monaco, and the permanent representative of the Kingdom to UNESCO, made the appeal during the ongoing 219th session of UNESCO’s executive board meeting in Paris, which concludes on March 27, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Leading the Kingdom’s delegation at the session, Al-Ruwaili emphasized Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts, in collaboration with regional and international partners, to address the deteriorating humanitarian conditions and the suffering of civilians in the Gaza Strip. He underscored the imperative of halting Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which he deemed as violations of international law.

Furthermore, Al-Ruwaili praised the longstanding cooperation between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, highlighting the recent exhibition titled “The Earthen Testaments” held at the UNESCO headquarters. The exhibition showcased the rich cultural heritage of Diriyah, including the At-Turaif district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.

Al-Ruwaili also underscored the joint projects between Saudi Arabia and UNESCO, valued at $10 million, aimed at preserving cultural heritage through the Fund-in-Trust Agreement. These projects seek to foster synergies across six culture conventions of UNESCO.

Moreover, Al-Ruwaili noted Saudi Arabia’s initiatives in promoting education and sustainable development, including the inclusion of three Saudi cities in the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities and the Kingdom’s participation in the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goal 4 High-Level Steering Committee.

Expressing gratitude to nations supporting Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh, Al-Ruwaili affirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to organizing an event that fosters international cooperation across various sectors.

Saudi Arabia’s engagement at the UNESCO executive board meeting reflects its proactive stance in addressing pressing global challenges and advancing cooperation in cultural preservation, education, and sustainable development. Through collaborative efforts, the Kingdom seeks to contribute meaningfully to the promotion of peace, prosperity, and mutual understanding on the world stage.